When Does Football Season Start 2026? NFL & College Dates

By Sarah Miller · May 22, 2027

The NFL football season for 2026 is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 3, 2026, with the defending Super Bowl champions hosting the opening game. The full regular season will span 18 weeks, featuring 17 games per team, concluding in early February 2027 with Super Bowl LXXI.

When Does the Football Season Start in 2026?

The start of the 2026 football season centers around the National Football League (NFL), the premier professional American football league. Based on the NFL's established scheduling pattern, the 2026 regular season is expected to kick off on Thursday, September 3, 2026. This follows the traditional format where the season opens with a marquee matchup featuring the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Key Dates for the 2026 NFL Season

Preseason: Early August 2026
Regular Season Kickoff: Thursday, September 3, 2026
Week 1 Games: Sunday, September 6 – Monday, September 7, 2026
Regular Season Concludes: Sunday, January 4, 2027
Super Bowl LXXI: Sunday, February 8, 2027

NFL 2026 Schedule Structure and Format

The NFL operates on a fixed 18-week regular season structure, introduced in 2021, allowing each team to play 17 games. The 2026 season will follow this same format, ensuring balanced inter-conference matchups and maintaining competitive integrity across divisions.

How the NFL Scheduling Formula Works

The league uses a rotating schedule based on divisional standings from the previous year. Each team plays:

6 games against their divisional opponents (home and away)
4 games against one division from their own conference
4 games against one division from the opposite conference
2 games against teams from the remaining two divisions in both conferences based on prior-year rankings
1 additional intraconference game based on standings

Season Phase	Dates (Projected)	Duration	Number of Games
Training Camp	July 25 – August 20, 2026	~4 weeks	0
Preseason	August 8 – August 29, 2026	4 weeks	3 per team
Regular Season	September 3, 2026 – January 4, 2027	18 weeks	17 per team
Playoffs	January 10–18, 2027	3 weekends	7 total
Super Bowl LXXI	February 8, 2027	1 day	1

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table above outlines the projected timeline for the 2026 NFL season. Regular season duration remains consistent at 18 weeks, accommodating 272 total games across the league. Preseason has been reduced to three games per team since 2021, prioritizing player safety and health during the exhibition period.

College Football 2026 Season Overview

While the NFL dominates professional football, college football also draws massive audiences. The NCAA Division I FBS season typically begins earlier than the NFL. For 2026, the college football season is expected to start on August 29, 2026, with Week 1 games played over Labor Day weekend.

Major College Football Events in 2026

Opening Weekend: August 29 – September 7, 2026
Conference Play: Begins mid-September
College Football Playoff Semifinals: January 1, 2027
National Championship Game: January 11, 2027

International and Other Football Leagues

Beyond the U.S., other leagues operate on different calendars. For example:

English Premier League: Starts August 2026
UEFA Champions League: Group stage begins September 2026
Canadian Football League (CFL): Starts June 2026

Note: In most countries outside the U.S., "football" refers to soccer. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, significantly impacting domestic sports scheduling.